Introduction

In collaborations with ceramic artist Lisa Ehrich, Natalie Macellaio will lead a two-week workshop focusing on sight specific installation art. Students will focus on the Italian landscape to create works that reflect the culture, landscape, history, and current social space. We will be using a red local low fire clay.

Method

Students will work individually and in small groups to create installation works around the campus of La Meridiana. We will not only talk about hand building techniques in making repetitive forms but also think about conceptual ideas like the meaning of place, and culture have  on individuals and whole societies. The repetition and morphing of ceramic forms will allow students the ability install, photograph, take down and reinstall using the same objects. This will help students to explore how the environment best interacts with their work.

Side trips

Travel to many historical, cultural and varied landscapes throughout Tuscany will  help to be inspired. Students will get to see where Michealanglo found the marble to carve his iconic sculptures, the beautiful Duomos of Florence and Siena and beauty of the Mediterranean sea that has inspired countless artists throughout history.

Logistics

On every classday, a delicious meal will be served. Lodging is included as well.

The artists

Lisa Ehrich received her BFA from University of Texas and her MFA in Ceramics from the University of North Texas. For the past 30 years she has taught at Brookhaven College in Dallas, Texas and has chaired the Art Department for 25 years. Her work is inspired by nature and utilizes both the imagery and symbolism of organic forms.
www.lisaehrich.com

Natalie Macellaio grew up in the Chicago area and moved to Texas to receive her Masters of Fine Arts from the University of North Texas in Jewelry and Metalsmithing. She is the Professor of Art at Dallas College. Her work has been featured in galleries across the country. She is the co-creator of The Mother Load, with Lesli Roberston, this international project which includes over 100 artists in 8 countries was exhibited at the Dallas Museum of Art in fall 2014 and the Hannah MacLure Centre in Dundee, Scotland in February 2016. She co-curated a traveling exhibition of contemporary works by Texas jewelers and metalsmiths hosted at Dallas College, San Jacinto College, University of Texas at El Paso and ending at the Texas Metal Symposium at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. Natalie currently resides in Plano, TX with her husband and twins.